Medical coding accuracy is obviously critical to medical billing technology. However, it is easy to overlook the critical role of technology in the coding process. The majority of the information required for billing exists in one or more systems for hospital-based physicians. Some systems are typically large, complex, and individually tailored. To extract the information required for medical coding and billing, sophisticated systems and workflows are required.
Here are five medical billing technology related questions to ask when evaluating your medical billing department or current/potential medical billing company for accurate medical coding. What you don't ask about automated workflows and technology in medical coding can hurt your bottom line!
How would your automated workflow differ from your current one?
When looking for a new medical billing solution, you should thoroughly understand the logistics of its proposed workflows. How would you improve your current workflow? Is the solution prepared to automate all existing workflows? What specific advantages do you stand to gain? It's a good idea to share your current workflow and request an outline of how the new system would handle the process from beginning to end. What steps would they take to improve coding accuracy and efficiency, as well as payment turnaround times? You should observe firsthand how an automated workflow works and how it improves outcomes for your practice. Get this visibility ahead of time, not after you've converted and are surprised.
Can you handle a variety of workflows?
Regardless of the clinical information system, hospital information system, or “bolt-on” technologies you use today, ensure that the practice fusion billing system is in sync with your workflow. Think about pathology coding. Pathology frequently involves two workflows. While the majority of reports are generated directly from hospital interfaces, there are frequently additional reports generated by ancillary systems or outside sources involving specialty testing. A manual workflow may be required when these reports do not come directly from the hospital. You must ensure that the company is capable of handling paper workflows efficiently when necessary. Radiology coding frequently has requirements that are similar.
Frustrated patients and late payments can result from illegible statements. Makeover your patient statement before it hurts your patient satisfaction and bottom line. Aside from appearances, a clear statement reduces confusion, allowing you to get paid faster and in the correct amount. You have complete control over what information appears on each bill thanks to billrMD‘s flexible customization options. Furthermore, the ability to send electronic statements provides patients with the modern convenience that they have come to expect.
How do you identify potential problems or issues?
When dealing with problems, a company must have a dedicated system of checks and balances in place. A common example is when a hospital changes its report format without prior notice. The information may not load when these reports arrive at the interface. We have created a completely separate workflow to ensure that all files are properly loaded and that the process runs smoothly. This process scans reports before they are loaded to ensure that the format is as expected – or not. If changes to the format are made, they are flagged and saved in “error or exception” folders. Healthcare claims management software is used to streamline the medical claims process, which improves the provider-insurance company relationship and expedites the patient's payment lifecycle. The IT department immediately contacts the hospital's IT department or, if necessary, the healthcare provider to determine what was changed and why. It's also critical to determine whether this was a one-time occurrence or if programming needs to be changed to accommodate long-term changes.
Is your team capable of handling implementations?
Make certain that an insurance billing software Company has extensive experience with all types of implementations. One of the most difficult challenges during implementation is securing all necessary data, and failure to do so accounts for the majority of delays. If hospital or clinic employees are not skilled at releasing data to third-party companies, the process can take much longer than expected. We have the expertise to get complex interfaces up and running in as little as 90 days. We have the experience to secure all necessary data for smooth implementations with the utmost accuracy, efficiency, and speed, even in complex situations.
Do you have specialized software for optimizing medical coding and billing?
Company with proprietary software that focuses on the specialized needs of physician coding and billing adds significant value to healthcare providers. Proprietary software, for example, can integrate with almost any interface or file type, making it easier to interface with hospitals that use proprietary or customized systems. Our specialized software can be programmed to run reports by revenue code, location of service, payor groups, or other requested information during the implementation process to accommodate the specific needs of hospitals and healthcare providers. Because we own the software code, we can provide this high level of customer service to our clients.
billrMD‘s software can also quickly adapt to changes in medical coding, billing, and compliance regulations due to its flexibility. Given the importance of medical billing technology and automated workflows, we have prepared this article with additional questions to ask about medical billing machinery capabilities.
